Bundling machine



W. 0. JONES. BUNDLING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.10,.1920.

1,417,329. Patented May 23, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l- Fig.1

W. 0. JONES.

BUNDLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10. 1920. 1,417,329, Patented May 23, 1922.

I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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BUNDLING MACHINE.

Application filed April 10, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVALTER O. J ONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lyons Platt, Pol-and Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement inBundling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates broadly to bundling machines, and more particularly to amachine for bundling with wire various types of materials such as scrap, wire, pipe, skelp and the like.-

An important object of the present invention is to provide a bundling machine having an upper movable compressing head adapted to compress the material against a fixed support or table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bundling machine having an upper compressor head with independently movable clamping levers adaptedto compress the material being bundled from a plurality of sides.

A further object of. the invention is to provide a compressor head of; the character described, comprising independently operable clamping levers operated through the mediumof an equalizing bar.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bundling machine with automatically controlled means for determining the length of bundling wire fed at each operation, and provided with automatic means for stopping the operation of the machine after each bundling operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this nature which may be readily adjusted to accommodate materials of various shapes and sizes.

T he foregoing and other objects, together withtheir attendant advantages, will be apparent as the invention becomes better understood, by reference to the accompanying specification and drawings forming a part thereof, it being premised that changes may be made in the various details and the manner of operation, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view, partly broken Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23,1922.

Serial No. 372,757.

away, of a machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 1- isa detail view of a portion of the machine illustrating the guides for the twister.

Figure 2 is a side view of the opposite sideof the machine.

Figure 3 is an end-elevation, partly broken away, of one end of the machine.

Figure 4: is a diagrammatic view illustratmg the automaticcontrol for the bundling wire.

Figure 5 is adiagrammatic top plan view illustrating one method of arranging a plurality of bundling machines for simultaneous operation on amass of material to be bundled.

Figure 6 is an enlargeddetail view, partly in section, of a portion of the driving control for the compressor head.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view through a portion of the compressor head.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of the wire shearing mechanism and holdingclip.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detailview, partly in section, illustrating the compressor head and clampinglevers. in operative engagement with material being bundled, and

Figure lOis an enlarged detail View of the twister head.

At the present time it is common to employ bundling machines operating on different materials which perform the bundling operation by raising the material into engagement with an upper compressor head. It is one of the purposes of the present invention to provide a bundling machine which operates to bundle the material without raising the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is illust ated a bundling machine comprising a main frame or housing 9. having journaled in the lower portion thereof a driving shaft 3 which is adapted to be driven from any desired source of power, not shown, at a constant and uniform rate of speed. Suitably journaled in theupper portion of the section 2 of the housing 2,

and extending parallel to the main shaft 3, is a driven shaft 4. carrying on-one end asprocket chain,

sprocket 5 adapted to be driven from the main shaft through a sprocket chain or other driving connection 6 by the mechanism more particularly described hereinafter. The opposite end of the shaft 4 carries a cam 7 extending into engagement with the periphery of which is a roller 8. This roller is carried by a beam 9 having a pivotal connection 10 with the housing 2 and provided adjacent one end with a countel-weight 11. The opposite end of the beam 9-is pivotally connected to a link 12 which is, in turn, connected to a bar 13 extending through an equalizing lever 14 and adapted to operate the same through the medium of a heavy compression spring 15.

I The compressor head, which is operated by the equalizing bar 14, through the mechanism described, comprises a main body portion 16, preferably formed in two parts, and slidable vertically in guideways 17 formed in the housings 2 and 2. (Jo-operating with the body member 16 of the compressor head is a pair of independently operable clamping levers 18, preferably angular in shape and having operating faces of any desired configuration. One end of each of the levers 18 has a pivotal connection 19 with one section of the body 16, the opposite end of each of the levers having a pivotal connection 20 with one of the bars 21. Each of the bars 21 is provided in its upper end with a trans versely extending pin 22 extending through the equalizing bar 14 into engagement with guides 23 in the housings 2 and 2. At one end, the equalizing bar 14 is preferably provided with a longitudinally extending slot 24 for the purpose more particularly pointed out hereinafter.

F or driving the compressor head, the main shaft 3 has loosely mounted thereon a loose wheel 25 carrying a sprocket 26 for the or driving connection, 6. The sprocket wheels 26 and 5 are preferably each provided with the same number of teeth, so that one revolution of the former insurcs an equivalent rotation of the latter. For placing the wheel 25 in driving engagement with the shaft 3, the shaft is provided with a disk 27 suitably splined thereto and formed with an arcuate slotflS adapted. to receive one end of a driving pin 29 slidable in the wheel 25, and normally forced outwardly into engagement with the disk 27 by a suitable spring 30. The position of the pin 29 controlled by a cam 31, shown in detail in Figure 6, and movable vertically into and rout of'engagcment with the pin by a lever 32. Intermediate its ends this lever has a plvotal connection 33 with the housing 2 and is adapted to be operated to draw the cam 31 downwardl r by a solenoid 34 BIIGIPIZQCl through a circuit 35 provided with a controlling key or button 36. Upon closing the key 36 the solenoid will be energized to raise the free end of the lever 32 against the action of a counterweight to draw the cam 31 out of engagement with the pin 29, permitting the spring to slide the same into engag mentwith the arcuate opening 28 in the disk 27. This will result in establishing a driv ing connection between the shaft 3, the sprocket 26 and the sprocket 5, to operate the compressor head. As soon as the driving connection is established, the circuit is again. opened, thereby de-energizing the solenoid and causing the counterweight 37 to again lift the cam 31 vertically. After one complete revolution of the wheel 25, the cam 31 will be permitted to again engage the pin 29'and slide the same out of driving engagement with the disk 27. It will be apparent, therefore, that means is provided for automatically checking the operation of the machine after each operation of the bundling head.

The cam 7 is preferably so shaped that during part of the rotation the beam 9 is lifted to bring the body 16 of the compressor head into engagement with the upper surface of the material M being bundled. This checks the descent of the main body 16 and causes the clamping levers 18 to swing about their pivots 19 into engagement with the sides of the material M, thereby compressing the same from three sides. During this time the material may be supported on any desired support, illustrated in the drawings as comprising a feed table 38. During rotation of the cam 7 from the point a to the point I), the compressor head is held in compressing engagement with the material M. Continued rotation ofthe cam causes the compressor head to move to its original position through the action of the counterweight 11.

For supplying the bundling wire to the machine prior to each operation of the compressor head, there is illustrated an upper pinch roll 39 carried by a shaft 40. Secured to one end of this shaft is a sprocket wheel 41 continuously driven from the main shaft 3 by the sprocket wheel 42' and sprocket chain 43. Below the pinch roll 39 is a lower pinch roll 44 carried by the lever 45 having a pivotal connection 46 with the housing 2. The lever 45 is provided at its free end with a counterweight 4T normally holding the lower pinch roll out of engagement with the upper pinch roll. F or moving the two rolls into driving engagement with the wire W passing between the same,.there is provided a solenoid 48, the armature of which is connected to the lever 45. Upon energizing the solenoid 48 one end of the lever '45 will be drawn downwardly away from theadjustable stop 49 provided for limiting the amount of separation of the feed rolls, and cause the rolls to feed the wire W forwardly through the machine, The wire is preferably drawn between straightening rolls and is fed forwardly through the funnelshaped opening 51; inone ofthe shear members 52 until the forward end thereof. engages a pendant stop53and produces movement thereof sufiicient for separating the contacts 54:. This separationof the contacts 54 breaks the circuit of the solenoid as, as will be clearly apparent from Figure 4 permitting the lower feed, roll 44 to drop out of engagement with the wire. Thedownward movement of the compressor head, before described, will shear the wire through the sliding shear member 55 operated by the link 56, and cause the sheared end to drop into engagement with the clips 57 which will hold the same until it is pulled therefrom by the operation of the compressorhead and clamping levers 18.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that as soon as the wire V7 isengaged by the compressor headand forced out of engager ment with the pendant stop 53, the contacts 54 will again close. In order to prevent this closing of the contacts'from again energizing the solenoid and feeding. a. fresh length of bundling wire to the machine, the con tacts 54 are placed in series with a second set of contacts M adapted to be opened and. closed by the lever 58 controlledby the cam 59; formed peripherally on the wheel 25 carried by the main. shaft 3. Due to this series connection the wheel 25 must have completed one rotation before the contacts 541 are. closed to permit energizingof the solenoid 48. i i

For engaging the free ends of the bundling wire to twist the same, there is provided a twister head 60 comprising a pair of curvedarms 60 adapted to engage the ends of the wire and twist thesame. The head 60 is carried by a vertical shaft 61 provided at shaft GSwhich carries a driving sprocket 69 for the chain 66.

From the description of the machine, it will. be apparent that with the parts in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2', the solenoid -18 may be energized to feed. the desired length of wire into,tlie machine," After this operation has occurred, the circuit for the solenoid 34 may be manually closed, setting the machine in operation. After one .complete rotation of the shaft 4, which, as described, willbe sufficient to produce one bundling operation, themachine will be automatically stopped. After this stopping, however, a second length of bundlingwire will be fed into position.

As it is desirable at times to operate on bundles of materials of different sizes, means must be provided for adjusting the com. pressor head so that the clamping levers 18 are. spaced sufliciently to straddle the material. This is accomplished in the present instance by forming the portion of the hous ing E2 separate from the main housing 2 and adjustable laterally therein by means of an adjusting screw 70 and nut7 1. As the main body of the compressor head is formed in two parts, one of which parts is carried by the section 2, it will be apparent that one of these parts may be readily adjusted laterally, as desired. During this operation, one of the pins 22 slides in the slot 24 in the equalizing bar 14 before described. This operation also adjusts the position of the shear members. For adjusting the shears independently of the housing 2, there is provided an adjusting screw 72 and an adjusting nut 7 3. At the same time, if desired, the position of the pendant stop 53 may also be adjusted by a screw 74. In still other instances adj ustment of the twister 60 may be necessary to properly position the same with respect to the material being bundled. This is accomplished in the present machine by making the bearing. 75, which carries the vertical shaft 61, adjustable horizontally in the housing 2. This adjustment is controlled by the screw 76. The shaft 64; is preferably. stationary in the frame or housing and provided with a longitudinally extending key-slot 77 permitting the gear to slide freely thereon while maintaining driving relation with the shaft, as shown clearly in Figure 1.

In Figure 5 there are illustrated two bundling machines B and B, which are placed on the same side of the feed table 38 carrying the material M to be bundled. It will be apparent that any number of machines may be positioned in this, or similar manners, for operating simultaneously on material of different lengths to wrap the same at a plurality of points.

The advantages of the present machine arise from the means whereby the operation is substantially automatic and also from the provision of means for adjusting the ma chine to accommodate materials of different sizes and shapes.

I claim:

1. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head formed of laterally adjustable independent sections adapted for relative movement during the bundling operation, and means for adjusting saidsections laterally, substantially as described. a

2. A bundling machine. comprising a (30111 pressor head formed of laterally adjustable independent sections adapted for relative movement during the bundling operation, substantially as described.

, stantially as described.

. main housin 3. A bundling machine, comprising a reciprocable compressor head formed of a plurality of sections, and means for adjusting one of said sections laterally, said sections being relatively movable in the direction of reciprocation of said head, substantially as described.

4. A bundling machine, comprising a comprcssor head formed of independent sections, an equalizing bar for operating said sections simultaneously, and means for adjusting one of said sections laterally, sub- 5. Abundling machine, comprising a com pressor head and clamping levers pivotally mounted thereon for engaging the material being bundled and effective for compressing said material in a direction diflierent from that of the compressor head, substantially as described.

6. Abundling machine, comprising a compressor head having a main body adapted to cooperate with one surface of the material being bundled and clamping levers carried thereby and operable to engage and compress said material at substantially right an gles to said body, substantially as described.

7. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a compressor head operable therein, said head being formed of a plurality of independent sections, an equalizing bar for operating said head, and means for moving one section of the head laterally, said equalizing bar being provided, with a slot c0- operating with the other section of the head, substantially as described.

8. A bundling machine, comprising a main housing, a separate housing adjustable therein, and a compressor head co-operating therewith and formed of a plurality of independent sections, one of said sections being carried by each of said housings, substantially 'as described.

9. A; bundling machine, comprising a main housing, a second housing adjustable therein, said housings being provided with guideways, and a compressor head operable in said guideways, substantially as described. 10.18. bundling machine, comprising a a second housing adjustable therein, each of said housings being provided with guideways, and a compressor head having sections independently operable in said guideways, substantially as described. Y i

11. A bundling machine, comprising a main housing, a driving shaft journaled therein, a sectional compressor head operable in said housing, said head comprising a plurality of compressing sections adapted for relative movement during the bundling operation, means for operating said head from said shaft, and means for adjusting one section of said head laterally, substantially as described. r

for operating said head and said levers in unison throughout a portion of the stroke of the head and then operating said levers independently of the head throi'ighout the remainder of the stroke, substantially as described.

= 14:. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head, an equalizing bar for operating said head, a beam, a resilient connec tion between said beam and said equalizing bar, and means for operating said beam, substantially as described. i

15. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a beam pivotally supported thereby,

a compressor head, a resilient connection between said beam and said compressor head, an eccentric'for moving said beam in one direction, and means for returning said beam to its normal position, substantially as described.

16. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a compressor head operable therein, means for operating said compressor head, automatically operable means for rendering said first mentioned means inoperative for operating said head after each operation of said head. and means operated by said first mentioned means after it becomes inoperative for operating said head to feed bundling wire for the next operation of said head, substantially as described.

17. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a material support co-operating therewith, a compressor head above said support, a twister head below said support, means for feeding bundling wire above said material and below said head, and means to operate said head to compress the material against said support, and bending the bundling wire into engagement with said twister head, substantially as described.

18. bundling machine, comprising a compressor head having aseries of sections, means for operating said head, and means for adjusting a portion thereof independently of the operating mechanism, said sections being'adalpted to move relatively to each other during the bundling operation, substantially as described.

19. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head, means for operating the same, means for adjusting the same,

a twister, means for operating said twister, and means for adjusting the position of the twister to co-operate with the compressor head in its adjusted positions, substantially as described.

20. A bundling machine, comprising an adjustable compressor head, means for operating the same, a revoluble twister, means for driving the same, and means for adjusting the twister to maintain the axis of rotation thereof in alignment with the center of the compressor head, substantially as described.

21. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a main shaft rotatable therein, a compressor head, means for completely operating said compressor head once for each rotation of the shaft, electrically controlled means for establishing an operative connection between said shaft and said operating means for the compressor head, and means for rendering said connection inoperative after a complete rotation of said shaft, substantially as described.

22. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, a compressor head operable therein, a source of power, a normally inoperative driving connection between said source of power and said compressor head, means for renderin said connection operative, and wire-feeding and twisting mechanism cooperating with said head and operated from said power source, substantially as described.

23. A bundling machine, comprising a housing, an adjustable compressor head opperable therein, means for operating said head, an adjustable twister, means for operating said twister, and wire feeding mechanism carried by said housing for feeding bundling wire into operative position, substantially as described.

24. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head, a twister, a wire feeding mechanism, means for operating said head, twister and wire feeding mechanism and means for adjusting said head and twister and varying the amount of wire fed to the machine by said mechanism, substantially as described.

25. A bundling machine, comprising a support for material to be bundled, a co1npressor head operable above said support, means for feeding wire below said head and above said support, means for varying the length of wire fed to the machine, and means for automatically checking the operation of said wire feeding mechanism a ter a predetermined length of the wire has been fed thereto, substantially as described.

26. A bundling machine having a wire feeding mechanism, comprising an upper pinch roll, a lower pinch roll, and electrically controlled means for changing the position of said lower roll, substantially as de scribed.

27. A bundling machine having a wire feeding mechanism, comprising an upper feed roll, a lower feed roll, and electrically controlled means for changing the position of said lower roll, said electrically controlled means being operated by the wire to automatically stop the feed thereof after a pre determined length has been fed to the ma chine, substantially as described.

28. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head, means for operating the same, a wire feeding mechanism, electrically controlled means for regulating the wire fed by said mechanism, a circuit for said electrically controlled means, and a plurality of switches in said circuit, one of said switches being operated by the wire, and the other of said switches by the operating mechanism for the compressor head, substantially as described.

29. In a bundling machine, a wire feeding mechanism, electrically operated means for controlling said mechanism, a circuit for said means, a plurality of switches in said circuit, and independent means for operating said switches, substantially as described.

30. A bundling machine, comprising a movable compressor head, means for operating said head, a twister, means for contnuously rotating said twister, and a wire feeding mechanism for feeding the wire above the bundle and beneath the compressor head, substantially as described.

31. A bundling machine, comprising a compressor head, and pivoted clamping levers co-operating therewith to encircle and compress a portion of the material being bundled by direct engagement therewith, substantially as described.

32. A bundling machine having a roll feeding mechanism, comprising an upper pinch roll, a lower pinch roll normally spaced therefrom, and a plurality of independently operable devices for moving said lower roll into engagement with said upper roll, said devices requiring concommitant operation to efiect such movement of the lower roll, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER O. JONES. 

